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121 reviews by:
wrappedupinpages
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook Review: Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen 🦆
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , @macmillanusa , and Tory Henwood Hoen for gifting me this audiobook! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Synopsis (always spoiler-free!):
🦆A woman retreats to her family’s Adirondack cabin after loss and upheaval.
🦆She begins piecing together the fragments of her past and identity.
🦆As she reconnects with nature and memory, she rediscovers love, purpose, and self.
🦆The wilderness becomes both her mirror and her guide toward healing.
My Thoughts:
This audiobook was an absolute masterpiece, beautifully narrated by Barrie Kreinik, deeply emotional, and layered with quiet strength. The narration is exceptional, capturing every ache and nuance in the story.
The past and present are delicately interwoven, unfolding with lyrical grace that tugs at your heartstrings. The writing is rich and evocative, full of tenderness and poetic rhythm.
The wildlife and natural world of the Adirondacks are described with such care, grounding the story in beauty and reflection. And through it all, we witness the main character’s remarkable growth, her shifting perception of herself and the people she loves.
A tender, thoughtful, and unforgettable listen that had me crying and wanting to listen to it again! This story really wraps itself around your heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book: @toryhenwoodhoen
Publisher: @macmillan.audio
Release Date: December 2, 2025
❓QOTD: What's a book that made you pause and reflect on how far you have come?
#BeforeIForget #ToryHenwoodHoen #AudiobookReview #FiveStarRead #EmotionalReads #NatureLoversBooks #BookishThoughts #BookReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCommunity #BookishLife #LiteraryFiction #BeautifulProse #WomenInFiction #AudiobookLovers #Bookstagram #ContemporaryFiction #IntrospectiveReads #BooksAndNature #HealingStories
Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio , @macmillanusa , and Tory Henwood Hoen for gifting me this audiobook! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Synopsis (always spoiler-free!):
🦆A woman retreats to her family’s Adirondack cabin after loss and upheaval.
🦆She begins piecing together the fragments of her past and identity.
🦆As she reconnects with nature and memory, she rediscovers love, purpose, and self.
🦆The wilderness becomes both her mirror and her guide toward healing.
My Thoughts:
This audiobook was an absolute masterpiece, beautifully narrated by Barrie Kreinik, deeply emotional, and layered with quiet strength. The narration is exceptional, capturing every ache and nuance in the story.
The past and present are delicately interwoven, unfolding with lyrical grace that tugs at your heartstrings. The writing is rich and evocative, full of tenderness and poetic rhythm.
The wildlife and natural world of the Adirondacks are described with such care, grounding the story in beauty and reflection. And through it all, we witness the main character’s remarkable growth, her shifting perception of herself and the people she loves.
A tender, thoughtful, and unforgettable listen that had me crying and wanting to listen to it again! This story really wraps itself around your heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book: @toryhenwoodhoen
Publisher: @macmillan.audio
Release Date: December 2, 2025
❓QOTD: What's a book that made you pause and reflect on how far you have come?
#BeforeIForget #ToryHenwoodHoen #AudiobookReview #FiveStarRead #EmotionalReads #NatureLoversBooks #BookishThoughts #BookReview #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCommunity #BookishLife #LiteraryFiction #BeautifulProse #WomenInFiction #AudiobookLovers #Bookstagram #ContemporaryFiction #IntrospectiveReads #BooksAndNature #HealingStories
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Synopsis:
🥀18 year old Mira discovers she’s tied to an ancient power awakened under a blood moon but doesn't know how.
🥀Dark forces rise, pulling her into a world of magic, secrets, and danger as she is caught up in a love triangle between football star Seven and his rival Julian whom Mira feels a connection to she can't deny.
🥀She must navigate a growing connection to Julian even though she has so many questions
🥀As her powers strengthen, so do the threats chasing her
🥀She faces a choice that could reshape her destiny and the fate of everyone she loves
Thoughts:
I really liked that the characters are college-aged, which felt refreshing for a YA story. And I appreciated that it wasn’t the typical vampires vs. werewolves setup. It takes the supernatural themes in a different direction.
That said, Mira came across as pretty bratty, which made it hard to connect with her at times. I also never understood why her parents are referred to by their first names with no explanation. I had a lot of questions that weren't answered in general, but maybe in the next books in the series.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator didn’t quite fir. Her voice sounded older than an 18-year-old, which pulled me out of the story.
But the world has strong potential, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next. Also, this book is so beautiful!
🥀18 year old Mira discovers she’s tied to an ancient power awakened under a blood moon but doesn't know how.
🥀Dark forces rise, pulling her into a world of magic, secrets, and danger as she is caught up in a love triangle between football star Seven and his rival Julian whom Mira feels a connection to she can't deny.
🥀She must navigate a growing connection to Julian even though she has so many questions
🥀As her powers strengthen, so do the threats chasing her
🥀She faces a choice that could reshape her destiny and the fate of everyone she loves
Thoughts:
I really liked that the characters are college-aged, which felt refreshing for a YA story. And I appreciated that it wasn’t the typical vampires vs. werewolves setup. It takes the supernatural themes in a different direction.
That said, Mira came across as pretty bratty, which made it hard to connect with her at times. I also never understood why her parents are referred to by their first names with no explanation. I had a lot of questions that weren't answered in general, but maybe in the next books in the series.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator didn’t quite fir. Her voice sounded older than an 18-year-old, which pulled me out of the story.
But the world has strong potential, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next. Also, this book is so beautiful!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
🌹Review of House of Rayne 🌹
By Harley Laroux
Synopsis:
🌹Salem’s wedding night derails into a runaway trip when she heads to the remote Blackridge Island instead.
🌹She meets Rayne, the mysterious owner of the old manor she’s staying at and attraction sparks immediately.
🌹On the island, things aren’t what they seem: dark magic, murders, and haunting secrets lie beneath the surface.
🌹Rayne’s past of trauma and family legacy catches up to them both; survival becomes a fight for more than just life.
🌹As danger closes in, Salem and Rayne must choose between escape or facing the evil together and maybe, forging a future they never expected.
Thoughts:
This book hooked me from page one! The creepy, suspenseful atmosphere had me on edge in the best way. I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading. Every twist built so much tension that I couldn’t look away. 👀
The connection between Rayne and Salem is absolutely electric. You can feel their chemistry in every scene. I loved how they openly communicated what they wanted and needed in their relationship. It made their bond feel authentic, intimate, and yes,incredibly hot.🔥
The island setting is so vividly written — dreary, cold, and perfectly eerie. It wraps you in the story and amplifies every unsettling moment.
I also really appreciated the religious undertones, the way the story explores how easily faith can be twisted into something dark and dangerous. It added such depth to the horror and mystery.
Creepy, sensual, and hauntingly beautiful — House of Rayne is the perfect dark gothic read for stormy nights.
4.5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
Author: Harley Laroux
Publisher: @kensingtonbooks
Release Date: Out Now!!
Thank you so much to @hambright_pr @kensingtonbooks and Harley Laroux for gifting me this eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
By Harley Laroux
Synopsis:
🌹Salem’s wedding night derails into a runaway trip when she heads to the remote Blackridge Island instead.
🌹She meets Rayne, the mysterious owner of the old manor she’s staying at and attraction sparks immediately.
🌹On the island, things aren’t what they seem: dark magic, murders, and haunting secrets lie beneath the surface.
🌹Rayne’s past of trauma and family legacy catches up to them both; survival becomes a fight for more than just life.
🌹As danger closes in, Salem and Rayne must choose between escape or facing the evil together and maybe, forging a future they never expected.
Thoughts:
This book hooked me from page one! The creepy, suspenseful atmosphere had me on edge in the best way. I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading. Every twist built so much tension that I couldn’t look away. 👀
The connection between Rayne and Salem is absolutely electric. You can feel their chemistry in every scene. I loved how they openly communicated what they wanted and needed in their relationship. It made their bond feel authentic, intimate, and yes,incredibly hot.🔥
The island setting is so vividly written — dreary, cold, and perfectly eerie. It wraps you in the story and amplifies every unsettling moment.
I also really appreciated the religious undertones, the way the story explores how easily faith can be twisted into something dark and dangerous. It added such depth to the horror and mystery.
Creepy, sensual, and hauntingly beautiful — House of Rayne is the perfect dark gothic read for stormy nights.
4.5 ⭐️
4 🌶️
Author: Harley Laroux
Publisher: @kensingtonbooks
Release Date: Out Now!!
Thank you so much to @hambright_pr @kensingtonbooks and Harley Laroux for gifting me this eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you so much to @Macmillan Audio and Sara Holland for gifting me this ALC of the YA Fantasy Break Wide the Sea!
Synopsis:
⚓️19-year-old Annie Fairfax inherits her family’s whaling company after her parents’ mysterious deaths.
⚓️She’s cursed, heartbreak turns her into one of the sea-fae known as the finfolk.
⚓️Her ambitious fiancé, August, might be after her fortune instead of her heart. She can feel her power over her family's company slipping away.
⚓️Desperate, Annie makes a deal with Silas Price, a half-finfolk captain, who may be her only hope.
⚓️A haunting tale of curses, love, betrayal, and the pull of the sea.
Thoughts:
A hauntingly beautiful and emotional tale that swept me away from the first page! Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland is an epic story of curses, love, and the deep pull of destiny. Think, Frozen 2 meets Avatar: The Way of Water.
Annie, while already mature for her age with the crushing weight of trying to live up to her deceased father's legacy on her young shoulders, demonstrates such growth throughout the book. Her love and loyalty for her family makes her an easy character to love and connect with.
Holland’s writing feels like a song carried on ocean waves: lyrical and immersive. The audiobook narration by Eileen Stevens is phenomenal, bringing Annie’s story and this world to life with vivid emotion and atmosphere. I was completely enthralled!
I have so many questions about the finfolk and can't wait to read the next book in this series, especially after that cliffhanger of an ending! The first book establishes this story as an epic tale I will be reading as soon as book two comes out.
If you love romantic, sea-soaked fantasy with magic, mystery, and betrayal, this one’s an absolute must read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Author: @Sarah | Baking + Writing
Publisher: Macmillan Audio @Macmillan Publishers
ALC Release Date: November 11, 2025
Synopsis:
⚓️19-year-old Annie Fairfax inherits her family’s whaling company after her parents’ mysterious deaths.
⚓️She’s cursed, heartbreak turns her into one of the sea-fae known as the finfolk.
⚓️Her ambitious fiancé, August, might be after her fortune instead of her heart. She can feel her power over her family's company slipping away.
⚓️Desperate, Annie makes a deal with Silas Price, a half-finfolk captain, who may be her only hope.
⚓️A haunting tale of curses, love, betrayal, and the pull of the sea.
Thoughts:
A hauntingly beautiful and emotional tale that swept me away from the first page! Break Wide the Sea by Sara Holland is an epic story of curses, love, and the deep pull of destiny. Think, Frozen 2 meets Avatar: The Way of Water.
Annie, while already mature for her age with the crushing weight of trying to live up to her deceased father's legacy on her young shoulders, demonstrates such growth throughout the book. Her love and loyalty for her family makes her an easy character to love and connect with.
Holland’s writing feels like a song carried on ocean waves: lyrical and immersive. The audiobook narration by Eileen Stevens is phenomenal, bringing Annie’s story and this world to life with vivid emotion and atmosphere. I was completely enthralled!
I have so many questions about the finfolk and can't wait to read the next book in this series, especially after that cliffhanger of an ending! The first book establishes this story as an epic tale I will be reading as soon as book two comes out.
If you love romantic, sea-soaked fantasy with magic, mystery, and betrayal, this one’s an absolute must read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
Author: @Sarah | Baking + Writing
Publisher: Macmillan Audio @Macmillan Publishers
ALC Release Date: November 11, 2025
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Synopsis:
🧲Lyla takes a job on a remote ranch when she tries to confront her ex boyfriend about money issues.
🧲Her new boss? A rugged, brooding cowboy named Colt who also happens to be her ex’s father.
🧲Snowed in together, tension and attraction grow impossible to ignore. Two weeks away from the rest of the world. What's the worst that can happen? 😂
Thoughts:
Chasing the Wild is a gritty, emotional, and very steamy cowboy romance that hooked me from the start!
I loved the instant attraction and tension between Colt and Layla. Their chemistry felt raw and real. The snowed-in, small-town ranch setting made the story even more atmospheric, and the emotional beats hit perfectly between all the steam.
It’s a little messy, a little forbidden, and completely addictive. Elliott Rose captures that perfect balance of angst and tenderness that makes a forbidden romance so satisfying.
If you love age-gap, forbidden love, and slow-burn tension, this one’s a must-add to your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🧲Lyla takes a job on a remote ranch when she tries to confront her ex boyfriend about money issues.
🧲Her new boss? A rugged, brooding cowboy named Colt who also happens to be her ex’s father.
🧲Snowed in together, tension and attraction grow impossible to ignore. Two weeks away from the rest of the world. What's the worst that can happen? 😂
Thoughts:
Chasing the Wild is a gritty, emotional, and very steamy cowboy romance that hooked me from the start!
I loved the instant attraction and tension between Colt and Layla. Their chemistry felt raw and real. The snowed-in, small-town ranch setting made the story even more atmospheric, and the emotional beats hit perfectly between all the steam.
It’s a little messy, a little forbidden, and completely addictive. Elliott Rose captures that perfect balance of angst and tenderness that makes a forbidden romance so satisfying.
If you love age-gap, forbidden love, and slow-burn tension, this one’s a must-add to your TBR.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Synopsis:
🌿Seventeen-year-old Evander lives hidden away in the eerie Hazelthorn estate under the strict guardianship of billionaire Byron Lennox-Hall.
🌿He’s bound by three rules: never leave the grounds, never enter the gardens, and never be alone with Byron’s grandson, Laurie, the boy who once tried to kill him.
🌿When Byron dies suddenly, Evander inherits the mansion, the fortune, and its secrets.
🌿Convinced the death was no accident, Evander and Laurie are reluctantly drawn together to uncover the truth.
🌿Meanwhile, the forbidden garden begins to awaken, creeping into the house with dark magic and hunger.
🌿As vines twist through the halls and old memories resurface, Evander must uncover what he’s truly inherited and what the garden wants from him.
Thoughts:
C.G. Drews has crafted a gothic masterpiece with Hazelthorn, equal parts mystery, horror, and tragic love story. The writing is lush and lyrical, wrapping you in the eerie atmosphere of the Hazelthorn estate from the very first page.
Evander is such a tender, fragile, yet resilient character, and his dynamic with Laurie had me completely hooked, full of tension, grief, and complicated love. The story explores trauma, isolation, and healing with so much emotional depth.
The creeping horror elements were perfectly balanced: unsettling, botanical, and deeply symbolic. The garden itself feels alive in a way that’s both magical and menacing.
By the end, I was sad to leave the story but in awe of how beautifully it all came together.
This is a gothic fairytale of grief, love, and things that grow in the dark.
If you love lush prose, queer gothic romance, and haunting atmosphere, this is a must.
Thank you @netgalley and @macmillanusa @macmillankidsuk for gifting me this eARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Synopsis:
🌿Seventeen-year-old Evander lives hidden away in the eerie Hazelthorn estate under the strict guardianship of billionaire Byron Lennox-Hall.
🌿He’s bound by three rules: never leave the grounds, never enter the gardens, and never be alone with Byron’s grandson, Laurie, the boy who once tried to kill him.
🌿When Byron dies suddenly, Evander inherits the mansion, the fortune, and its secrets.
🌿Convinced the death was no accident, Evander and Laurie are reluctantly drawn together to uncover the truth.
🌿Meanwhile, the forbidden garden begins to awaken, creeping into the house with dark magic and hunger.
🌿As vines twist through the halls and old memories resurface, Evander must uncover what he’s truly inherited and what the garden wants from him.
Thoughts:
C.G. Drews has crafted a gothic masterpiece with Hazelthorn, equal parts mystery, horror, and tragic love story. The writing is lush and lyrical, wrapping you in the eerie atmosphere of the Hazelthorn estate from the very first page.
Evander is such a tender, fragile, yet resilient character, and his dynamic with Laurie had me completely hooked, full of tension, grief, and complicated love. The story explores trauma, isolation, and healing with so much emotional depth.
The creeping horror elements were perfectly balanced: unsettling, botanical, and deeply symbolic. The garden itself feels alive in a way that’s both magical and menacing.
By the end, I was sad to leave the story but in awe of how beautifully it all came together.
This is a gothic fairytale of grief, love, and things that grow in the dark.
If you love lush prose, queer gothic romance, and haunting atmosphere, this is a must.
Thank you @netgalley and @macmillanusa @macmillankidsuk for gifting me this eARC
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A legend. A lie. A love story.
Sir Una Everlasting is remembered as Dominion’s greatest hero, the orphaned girl who became a knight and sacrificed herself for queen and country. But the truth of her life has been lost beneath myth and song.
Centuries later, Owen Mallory, a failed soldier turned scholar, becomes obsessed with Una’s legend. He’s drawn into archives, war, and eventually propelled back through time to ensure Una fulfills her part.
Una and Owen find themselves trapped in cycles of retelling: the same story repeated, ending the same way, unless they can find a way to rewrite history itself.
Harrow’s prose is beautifully lyrical. Even in the more challenging moments, there are lines that shine and linger.
The concept, legend vs. truth, memory, rewriting fate, is compelling, and there were moments I wished more strongly for their success in breaking the cycle.
As the narrative progressed, the emotional stakes rose, and parts of the story (especially when the characters’ motivations or conflicts sharpened) did draw me in.
What held me back:
The beginning is very slow and confusing. I struggled to find firm footing early on, and the pacing felt uneven.
The POV switches aren’t always clearly identified. Sometimes it took me a beat to realize the perspective had shifted, which added to the disorientation.
Because of those structural issues, portions of the story felt distant or diffuse: I wanted more consistency in how voices and shifts were handled.
Overall:
I respect and admire what Harrow is attempting here. The Everlasting has ambition, beauty, and moments of real emotional resonance. But for me, it never fully settled into clarity or momentum. I got caught in its cycles more than carried by them. Solid for fans of Harrow’s style, but not among her strongest in my view.
Sir Una Everlasting is remembered as Dominion’s greatest hero, the orphaned girl who became a knight and sacrificed herself for queen and country. But the truth of her life has been lost beneath myth and song.
Centuries later, Owen Mallory, a failed soldier turned scholar, becomes obsessed with Una’s legend. He’s drawn into archives, war, and eventually propelled back through time to ensure Una fulfills her part.
Una and Owen find themselves trapped in cycles of retelling: the same story repeated, ending the same way, unless they can find a way to rewrite history itself.
Harrow’s prose is beautifully lyrical. Even in the more challenging moments, there are lines that shine and linger.
The concept, legend vs. truth, memory, rewriting fate, is compelling, and there were moments I wished more strongly for their success in breaking the cycle.
As the narrative progressed, the emotional stakes rose, and parts of the story (especially when the characters’ motivations or conflicts sharpened) did draw me in.
What held me back:
The beginning is very slow and confusing. I struggled to find firm footing early on, and the pacing felt uneven.
The POV switches aren’t always clearly identified. Sometimes it took me a beat to realize the perspective had shifted, which added to the disorientation.
Because of those structural issues, portions of the story felt distant or diffuse: I wanted more consistency in how voices and shifts were handled.
Overall:
I respect and admire what Harrow is attempting here. The Everlasting has ambition, beauty, and moments of real emotional resonance. But for me, it never fully settled into clarity or momentum. I got caught in its cycles more than carried by them. Solid for fans of Harrow’s style, but not among her strongest in my view.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
𝓐𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓷 𝓑𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓶 by Jennifer Dugan
𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼:
🎬 Former child star hiding from Hollywood drama
💔 Ex shows up… with a tell-all memoir
🌸 Small-town fresh start gets complicated
🔥 Sparks + second chances = messy, emotional love story
📖 Choosing between burying the past or blooming into something new
𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
I really enjoyed this sapphic romance story! I’m not usually a fan of second chances but this was a fresh take on the trope.
It was so sad to experience the heart break that Andy experienced reminiscing with former girlfriend and Hollywood star Nikki about growing up a queer child in Hollywood and dark struggles of addiction and manipulation by those in positions of authority.
I appreciated the introspective dialogue by Andy as she reflects on her own journey of self discovery and that running away from what has hurt you doesn’t mean you have healed, even years down the road. Andy’s job as a florist and her growing into the woman she is to become is a beautiful metaphor!
I also loved Andy’s relationship with her boss turned best friend and with her parents is refreshing to see. So often in queer stories there is a lack of support from family but that is not the case for Andy.
I would recommend this book because while there is some misunderstanding that between Andy and Nikki that has led to unwarranted hurt between them and the fracturing of their relationship, this miscommunication is so believable. Sometimes what we need is to give ourselves and loved ones the forgiveness, understanding, and support to grow.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝓡𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓮 𝓓𝓪𝓽𝓮: March 3rd, 2026
𝓟𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓻: @avonbooks
𝓐𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻: @jl_dugan
Thank you @netgalley , @avonbooks and Jennifer Dugan for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are me own.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Flowers I Deserve follows Carlotta, a girl raised under the shadow of tragedy and guilt. Once known as the “poison girl,” she spends her early years trying to atone for past mistakes before being brought to the castle, where she becomes entangled with King Emelia and the complicated political, religious, and personal forces that shape her world. As she wrestles with grief, vengeance, and unexpected relationships, Carlotta must decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to claim both justice and belonging.
Carlotta’s character often felt emotionally flat, making it difficult to connect with her inner world. The side characters, especially the frequently mentioned handmaids, were never given backstories or development, which left the world feeling underpopulated and thin. I also struggled with the almost immediate blind worship of King Emelia, which felt unearned, and the lack of world building overall. The setting seemed stuck in something like the 1800s in terms of technology and development, yet Emelia is from another advanced realm, capable of saving lives by suspending them in a strange in-between universe. This contrast raised more questions than it answered, and the logic never quite clicked.
The pacing also felt uneven. The slow opening, lingering on Carlotta’s childhood, dragged, only to then skip ahead five years as she’s whisked to the castle, where things finally begin to gain momentum. Certain plot points, like why no one questioned earlier that King Emelia never leaves the castle, didn’t feel believable. And though the book was filled with sexual undertones, the actual spice scenes lacked detail and didn’t deliver the intensity the buildup seemed to promise.
Despite these issues, there were parts of Flowers I Deserve that stood out beautifully. The FFF relationship was refreshing and layered, and I loved the theme of living each day as if it were your last. The diversity woven into the story, such as the mention of braids and other cultural details, gave the world some texture. Carlotta’s drive for revenge against those who wronged her family, paired with her tentative steps into politics, gave her arc a sense of purpose. I also appreciated how the book explored the influence of religion on politics and society, it added depth even when the world building faltered elsewhere.
Most of all, the portrayal of grief resonated with me. Carlotta’s pain and longing were palpable, and Jerèe’s prose often reached moments of true beauty and introspection. Those passages lingered with me long after I finished reading.
Flowers I Deserve is an uneven read, with stunning moments of insight and emotion weighed down by flat characterization and confusing world building. Still, its unique perspective, queer representation, and exploration of heavy themes make it a book I’m glad I picked up, even if it didn’t fully bloom for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Water Signs Books for this e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Flowers I Deserve follows Carlotta, a girl raised under the shadow of tragedy and guilt. Once known as the “poison girl,” she spends her early years trying to atone for past mistakes before being brought to the castle, where she becomes entangled with King Emelia and the complicated political, religious, and personal forces that shape her world. As she wrestles with grief, vengeance, and unexpected relationships, Carlotta must decide how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to claim both justice and belonging.
Carlotta’s character often felt emotionally flat, making it difficult to connect with her inner world. The side characters, especially the frequently mentioned handmaids, were never given backstories or development, which left the world feeling underpopulated and thin. I also struggled with the almost immediate blind worship of King Emelia, which felt unearned, and the lack of world building overall. The setting seemed stuck in something like the 1800s in terms of technology and development, yet Emelia is from another advanced realm, capable of saving lives by suspending them in a strange in-between universe. This contrast raised more questions than it answered, and the logic never quite clicked.
The pacing also felt uneven. The slow opening, lingering on Carlotta’s childhood, dragged, only to then skip ahead five years as she’s whisked to the castle, where things finally begin to gain momentum. Certain plot points, like why no one questioned earlier that King Emelia never leaves the castle, didn’t feel believable. And though the book was filled with sexual undertones, the actual spice scenes lacked detail and didn’t deliver the intensity the buildup seemed to promise.
Despite these issues, there were parts of Flowers I Deserve that stood out beautifully. The FFF relationship was refreshing and layered, and I loved the theme of living each day as if it were your last. The diversity woven into the story, such as the mention of braids and other cultural details, gave the world some texture. Carlotta’s drive for revenge against those who wronged her family, paired with her tentative steps into politics, gave her arc a sense of purpose. I also appreciated how the book explored the influence of religion on politics and society, it added depth even when the world building faltered elsewhere.
Most of all, the portrayal of grief resonated with me. Carlotta’s pain and longing were palpable, and Jerèe’s prose often reached moments of true beauty and introspection. Those passages lingered with me long after I finished reading.
Flowers I Deserve is an uneven read, with stunning moments of insight and emotion weighed down by flat characterization and confusing world building. Still, its unique perspective, queer representation, and exploration of heavy themes make it a book I’m glad I picked up, even if it didn’t fully bloom for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Water Signs Books for this e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Playing for Keeps is a book that had so much promise, but ultimately it didn’t quite deliver for me. The central romance between Poppy and Rosaline felt more like insta-love than the gradual building of a deep, layered relationship. Instead of watching them grow closer in meaningful ways, their chemistry was overshadowed by a heavy focus on side characters. In fact, much of the story leaned into Cash and Lyric’s relationship, which felt like a Taylor and Travis ripoff, leaving Poppy and Rosaline’s connection lacking in believability.
The execution of certain tropes didn’t land for me either. Miscommunication was a major conflict driver, which felt especially frustrating considering both main characters are publicists. Communication is literally their job! On top of that, I’m rarely a fan of third-act breakups, and this story gave us two for the price of one with a double breakup!
The logic behind the breakups also felt weak: Rosaline and Lyric don’t bother to investigate the source of a damaging video, and it turns out to be AI-generated. For characters who are supposed to be savvy, it didn’t make sense that they wouldn’t look deeper before letting not one but two relationships implode. And through all of this, Poppy and Rosaline never once discuss how their relationship might be impacted if Cash and Lyric split, something that seems like an obvious conversation for them to have.
There were also some strange character gaps that pulled me out of the story. For instance, Poppy’s mom briefly mentions concerns about her drinking due to possible past alcoholism, but it’s not fully developed, leaving me with questions. Small moments like that made the character work feel unfinished and left me wishing for more consistency and depth.
That said, there were elements I genuinely enjoyed. The diversity and queer representation were strong, and I especially appreciated the discussion of childhood trauma, which resonated with me personally. The spice scenes were well-written and added heat without feeling forced, and I enjoyed getting both Poppy and Rosaline’s perspectives through the dual POV format.
Overall, Playing for Keeps had shining moments and a lot of potential, but the lack of believable chemistry, overreliance on frustrating tropes, and missed opportunities in character development left me underwhelmed. I wanted to love it more than I did, especially because I have read four of Bellefleur’s previous books, but I still found aspects worth appreciating.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own